brakes Acura MDX 2012 Owner's Manual

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running, or if a
‘‘CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’
message is on the multi-information
display. For more information, see
page 562.Charging System
Indicator
If it comes on when the engine is
running, the battery is not being
charged, and you will see a‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page 562.Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
You will also see a‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’message on the
multi-information display. For more
information, see page 563.
U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not fully
released can damage the rear
brakes, axles, and tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will
sound, and you will also see a
‘‘RELEASE PARKING BRAKE’’
message on the multi-information
display (see page 87).2. If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a‘‘LOW
BRAKE FLUID’’or‘‘CHECK
BRAKE SYSTEM’’message on the
multi-information display (see
pages 87). For more information,
see page 564.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
69
Instruments and Controls

You can open and close the
moonroof for up to 10 minutes after
you turn off the ignition switch.
Opening either front door cancels
this function.If you try to open the moonroof in
below-freezing temperatures, or when it
is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or its
motor.Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, push the
pedal down with your foot. To
release it, pull the release handle
fully. The parking brake indicator on
the instrument panel should go out
when the parking brake is fully
released (see page 69).
You will also see a‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’message on the
multi-information display (see page
87).
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.
RELEASE HANDLE
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL
Moonroof, Parking Brake164

Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your vehicle speed
increases going down a hill, use the
brakes to slow down. This will cancel
the cruise control. On models with
adaptive cruise control (ACC), this
also causes the cruise control
indicator on the instrument panel to
go off and the cruise mode indicator
to come on. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will come back on.Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
●
Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
●
Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button.
●
To increase the speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
●
Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.
●
To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
●
Tap the brake pedal lightly with
your foot. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
will go out. When the vehicle
slows to the desired speed, press
the SET/DECEL button.
Cruise Control346

Limitations●
ACC does not work below 25 mph
(40 km/h). It cannot bring your
vehicle to a complete stop.
●
ACC will not sound a beeper or
display a message on the multi-
information display to warn you of
vehicles going slower than 13 mph
(20 km/h) or vehicles that are
parked. In these cases, it is up to
you to maintain a safe distance by
using the brake pedal.
●
ACC may not recognize
motorcycles or other small
vehicles ahead of your vehicle.
●
ACC may react to vehicles beside
you or even a building beside you
by momentarily applying the
brakes or sounding a beeper
under conditions such as a sudden
curve or narrowing of the road, an
abrupt movement of the steering
wheel, or if you are in an unusual
position within your lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)352

Message Description Message Description
ACC has automatically canceled because its
radar sensor in the front
grille is dirty.
You will hear three beeps.Apply the brakes immediately.
Your vehicle is too close to the vehicle
ahead of it.
You will hear a continuous beep.
ACC has automatically canceled
because of bad weather or other conditions.
You will hear three beeps.ACC needs to be checked.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
CONTINUED
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
361
Features

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
●
Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).
●
Do not change the oil until the
multi-information display indicates
it is needed.
●
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with
a pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage.
To help prevent harmful fuel system and
engine deposits, use high quality fuel
containing detergent and additives. In
addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmful
manganesebased fuel additives such as
MMT, if such gasoline is available.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer for service.
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation422

Modifying your vehicle, or installing
non-Acura accessories, may make
your vehicle unsafe. Before you
make any modifications or add any
accessories, be sure to read the
following information.
Accessories
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have been
designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Acura accessories may
fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, and reliability.
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system.Before installing any accessory:
●
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
●
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page 566) or interfere with proper
operation of your vehicle.
●
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
●
Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
431
Before Driving

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
affect your vehicle's handling,
stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:●
Lowering your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
●
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can affect the
handling and stability.
●
Non-Acura wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).
●
Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's safety
features can make the systems
ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Accessories and Modifications432

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive™(SH-AWD
®) system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
®)
system, active damper system (If
equipped), the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), the
collision mitigation braking system™
(CMBS™), the blind spot information
system (BSI) and facts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive off-high way.Driving Guidelines
......................
440
Preparing to Drive
......................
441
Starting the Engine
.....................
442
Check Starting System
Message
.............................
443
Automatic Transmission
.............
443
Driving with the Paddle
Shifters
................................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the D position (D-Paddle
Shift Mode)
.....................
447
Using the Paddle Shifters in
the S position (Sequential
Shift Mode)
.....................
449
Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive™(SH-AWD
®)
System
................................
452
Parking
.......................................
454
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
455
Braking System
..........................
460
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
461
Collision Mitigation Braking
System™(CMBS™)
...............
463Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
473
Blind Spot Information System
(BSI)
.......................................
476
Active Damper System
................
484
Towing a Trailer
..........................
487
Trailer Stability Assist
.................
498
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
500
Driving
439
Driving

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
●
Turn off the lights.
●
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.
●
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
●
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
●
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
●
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.
●
Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking454